Today’s guest post is from Karen Ingalls, indie author of Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir and upcoming historical fiction series.
Once I arrived home from the doctor’s office I knew that I wanted to journal about my fears and what was happening to my body. Writing was a tool I had used most of my life to rise above or “outshine” in situations of sexual abuse, family alcoholism, untimely deaths, and divorce. A friend encouraged me to publish my journal saying, “Women need to read this.”
Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is a story of my survival, and that cancer or other diseases are challenges from which there are opportunities for self-growth, ministry, and living more fully. God’s gift to me was my ability to write; the publication of this book is my gift to God.
- Step one was to journal and write stories about my life, goals, and fears as an adolescent, imagining that someday my words would help others.
- I explored the magical, informative, and historical world of literature; thereby, unconsciously determining the style of writing and subjects I enjoyed.
- My journal about a life threatening illness was put into a publishing format after encouragement from others.
- An important step was to trust a friend, who is an English professor, to read my novel and non-fiction manuscripts for objective feedback.
- Seeking publication for both manuscripts by contacting publishers and agents required courage and willingness to receive rejection letters.
- I followed the advice of my publisher, accepted challenges and critiques, and worked hard through the publishing and selling processes.
If you dream to be a published author, I say this: Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from traveling the sometimes bumpy, difficult, and rewarding road to make your dream come true.
